Jesus or Joseph?

When asked to choose, will Mormons trust Jesus or Joseph Smith? Unfortunately, more times than not, they will choose Joseph. This blog will explore this reasoning of faith. — Matthew 16:15-16, Matthew 10:37-39, Mark 1:16-18

I’ve heard many times how the LDS want to be considered Christian. Over and over again, you will hear the same argument “Jesus Christ is in the very name of our church. How can we not be Christians?” I actually heard this a few months ago when a church elder was interviewed by Matt Lauer on NBC’s today show. And, several official church representatives have used this same argument, including Gordon Hinckley himself.

This argument is paper thin. Yes, the name of Jesus Christ is in the name of the church, but that’s about it. Over and over again, the church proves that it’s more praised person is Joseph Smith and it’s prophets.

“Here then is the grand key—Follow the prophet—and here are fourteen
fundamentals in following the prophet, the President of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints…”

First: The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
Second: The living prophet is more vital to us than the Standard Works.
Third: The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
Fourth: The prophet will never lead the Church astray.
Fifth: The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or diplomas to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
Sixth: The prophet does not have to say “Thus saith the Lord” to give us scripture.
Seventh: The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
Eighth: The Prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
Ninth: The prophet can receive revelation on any matter—temporal or spiritual.
Tenth: The prophet may well advise on civic matters.
Eleventh: The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
Twelfth: The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
Thirteenth: The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—The
highest quorum in the Church.
Fourteenth: The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.

“Fundamental” #2 and #14 are a huge problem here. #2 basically says, “Don’t believe your scriptures, believe what I tell you. And when your scriptures and I disagree, believe me first.” How is this possible? What is the standard of truth here? Is truth floating in the wind? Is the presidency of the LDS church really the only one who hears God speak and invokes law? Of course not. God can be felt and heard in each of our hearts. Jesus can light our paths, we can follow Him, and we don’t have to rely on someone else to say if it pleases them or not.

And #14 is just a plain threat. Where’s the mercy of God? Where’s the grace of the Lord? Reject the prophet and suffer?? You have to be kidding me. The God of the Bible is a God of love, forgiveness, mercy and grace. This is not a direction from our creator.

You make some very good points. Fundamentally, for Christians, Christ alone is the way, the truth and the life. Mormons do believe in Christ – but their view of that means and who Christ is is very different in fundamental ways. Mormons, while claiming a belief in Christ, believe that salvation cannot be had except in and through Mormonism and all of its commands, ordinances and practices. So are Mormons, who do believe in Christ (although different from the Christ of the bible), entitled to carry the title of “Christain”. Maybe, maybe not. But I believe that more fundamental to the issue is whether Mormonism is “another gospel” of which the apostles warned or not. If it is, the would should be warned of the counterfeit that it is.

If Mormonism is founded on and by false prophets and if it deviates from the gospel taught by Christ and its apostles it is indeed a counterfeit Christianity.

With regard to the claim of living prophets of God, the world (especially Christians) need to learn, know and apply the biblical test to test the validity of any prophet.

The biblical test of prophet:

“But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.” Deuteronomy 18:20-22. (in fact, the messenger should be shot if he be a false prophet)

Jerimiah 28:9 also tells us that: “when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.”

Did Joseph Smith give prophesies that did not come true? Certainly, he did on far more than one occasion.

In addition, Christ, in warning of false prophets also declared that “by their (the prophets’) fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:15-16. We receive Christ’s warning of false prophets and apostles that would come in the last days more than once, so, obviously, he thought it was a big issue. Christ’s words insist on an examination of the man himself – and fundamentally to Mormonism is first the examination of Joseph Smith – and then Brigham Young. (Mormons will always way that Joseph and Brigham were prophets but they were imperfect men. No, perfection is not the standard – a man is a man and will always be imperfect, but the fruits of that man are definitely at issue).

With regard to Joseph Smith, there are many items of Joseph’s actions/fruits that can and should be looked at. A couple of simple quick examples, when considering this aspect: Is a man who marries other men’s wives (11) in secret and lies about it demonstrative of the fruits of a prophet of God (especially, when claiming the right by direct revelation from God)? What about a prophet who changes his own revelations? What about a prophet who changes and adds to the bible itself (JST)? And the list could go on.

Beyond failed prophesies and fruits, when the alleged prophet’s words are pitted against God’s word the red light should be on. As already discussed, the mantra is clear “any other gospel” fails the standard (Galatians 1:7-8; 2 Corinthians 11: 3-4). As such, what the New Testament says should be closely examined and any gospel that is being preached should scrutinized to see if there is any deviation from it. (and the clear message of the NT, as you’ve pointed out, is that Christ alone is the way, the truth and the life. All who put their faith in Him alone shall be saved).

“All the prophets testify about him [Christ] that EVERYONE who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:43.

In contrast, another Mormon prophet plainly stated: “One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation,” (Miracle of Forgiveness, Spencer W. Kimball, p. 206).

These are just a few tidbits, but the test should be applied to anyone who comes along and claims to be a prophet. Christ warned that in the last days may false prophets would come and he warned, lest we be deceived. If Joseph Smith and/or Brigham Young fail the test of a prophet, every Mormon prophet is a false prophet. Good fruit cannot grow from a corrupt tree. Truth unto salvation and eternal life cannot sprout from a gospel that is built on the doctrines of men, mingled with scripture – which is exactly what Mormonism is.